Eee PC 1015PN does not revolutionize the standards, but it is not what we await from this small netbook Asus. It underwent some cosmetic and ergonomic changes all the same. The old brilliant flagstone (of the screen of 10,1 inches, 1 024 X 600 pixels) was abandoned with the profit of a matt flagstone. A very particular care was taken to the quality of the screen: we measured the luminosity with 270 cd/m ² and the rate of contrast to 1 092:1, which is too rare on a netbook! Returned blacks is really good, one can work whatever the environment comfortably.
Almost more finger marks
Among the appreciable innovations, we also raised the coating of the palm rests, composed of plastics chechmates. The multipoint touchpad occupies a good place there. However, to preserve the side foil of the machine, all the other plastics are brilliant (turn of screen, support of the keyboard chiclet, external cap). So on the white version of the machine, the finger marks left on the cap are not conspicuous, it is not the same on the black versions and of color.
Ion, but not of Optimus
When that an Intel processor and a Nvidia graphics card cohabit in a machine, technology Nvidia Optimus is never far. For recall, the latter is given the responsability to make the automatic swing between the graphic chipset of the processor and the dedicated graphics chip, according to the launched application.
However, not to make climb the price of its Eee PC (already rather high), Asus did not want to equip it with the technology of Nvidia. It is thus with the user to select the chip which is appropriate for its use, via a small software installed on the machine by the manufacturer: that of the processor Intel Atom N550, the GMA 3150, or Nvidia Ion 2.
If you made office automation, better is worth to choose the Intel chip and, when you wish to diffuse high-definition - via port HDMI of the machine - or to look at contents Full HD on YouTube, to choose Ion.
Attention, according to the chip chosen, the consumption of the machine is not the same one (to the maximum 25,6 Watts)! And especially, autonomy feels some, 4 hours and 30 min measured on the graphic part of the processor, against only 3 hours and 20 min with the chip Ion 2, under similar test conditions (film reading).
Verdict: Eee PC 1015PN
The 1015PN is tempting, but it is quite expensive for what it proposes. Sold 399 euros, this netbook has neither a screen with definition HD nor of Optimus technology. Bluetooth 3.0 cannot justify the price, in spite of the recent arrival of this standard without wire in the frames. However, its screen is of quality, the completions and ergonomics, faithful to the aspirations of the mark. Three stars.
